Grace: A Play

by Craig Wright

An empty Florida condo. Three dead bodies. Is this a shady crime scene of God's fateful hand at work? Perceptions keep changing as Grace deconstructs the marriage of an intensely Christian couple, their not-so-religious disfigured neighbor, a shaky business deal -- and the way religious ideas make sense, and sometimes nonsense, of life's events. This is a darkly funny, sometimes hilarious, deadly serious and provocative play.

Genres: Plays, Theatre

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Playwright and television producer.


Librarian note: There are multiple authors with this name in this data base. This one is Craig^^Wright.

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up.

I'm fairly sure I read this a decade or so ago, when it was first published, but revisited it as I am making my way through all of Wright' s oeuvre. It's one of his better entries, with strongly delineated characters; terrific, realistic dialogues; and interesting philosophical debates, but he still has a tendency to shoot himself in the foot with odd stage choices, and some over the top dramatics.

The former include having the final scene play at the top of the show in reverse motion, which makes little sense and somewhat spoils the revelations of the ending. And the play takes place in two apartments side to side, but only one apartment is shown with the action in both playing out simultaneously, which often gets a mite confusing (not to mention why two apartments would have identical furnishings - I guess they came pre-furnished?).

The show's Broadway production in 2013 got mixed reviews, praising the performances of Paul Rudd, Ed Asner, and especially Michael Shannon - but also calling into question Wright's dramaturgy. It's refreshing, however, that a play based around questions of faith (the playwright is a former seminarian) could actually make it to the Great White Way ... so there is that.

[Jon Hewelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possible SPOILERS.

I love most of this play. It's a little artificially dramatic at times, but the emotional intensity--when done right--is astoundingly good. And I love the conceit of characters misspeaking at key moments: in a medium with such measured dialogue, it's a nice touch.

The rewinding time elements bugged me. I think I understand their thematic resonance, but the effect just reads as goofy. Sure, it might be cool to see on stage, but I would have rather read this story linearly.

[Jake Van Hoorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise but felt like more should have been done with Steve’s character, I personally felt like he was never once sympathetic, particularly given his religious nature the events of the play should have felt like a fall in grace for him instead of him just being a jerk the whole time. But otherwise loved Sam and Sara’s scenes their dialogue felt so poignant and real.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, moving, incredibly complex. I’m not a huge fan of reading plays but this one changed it for me. It handles the topic of religion and faith with so much care, while also portraying how losing that faith can break a person. Incredible

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. I like the multiple perspectives that it portrays.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good drama, good character building, good themes. Interesting gimmick of the two units sharing the same space. Disappointing ending.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This represents the single most-moving play I have ever attended. It's been a couple of years since I saw the play on Broadway with Paul Rudd, Ed Asner and Michael Shannon. This reading brought it all back. The power of the play came through loud and clear in Wright's dialogue. I love the constant struggle of happy/sad and lucky/unlucky and how life so easily can change your view. This is a winner on stage or in your reading chair.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a dark but energizing play that asks some interesting questions about faith, religious and otherwise, and what happens when you feel that you have been gypped, either by your loved ones or the man upstairs. Plus, what's not to like about a play that opens with the characters already dead on stage?

[R Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A troubling play that examines the issues of faith and logic through the eyes of a young couple out to start a new God-centric business. The plays best scenes focus on their neighbor Sam who has survived a horrific car accident that cost him his fiancé. Interesting discussions of belief, love, & reality.

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful 4 person play about Grace.
I can't think of another American play that deals with God's Grace.
Very theatrical and at the same time very realistic.
Some great 2 person scenes for young actors.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

Required for my Dramaturgy class. Nothing great about this play. Only so-so. Subject matter has definitely been addressed in better ways.